Module 3 · Lesson 1 Beginner 1 min read
What is a prompt?
The basic building block of communicating with AI.
A prompt is the text you send to an AI — your question, instruction, or request. Everything the AI produces starts from your prompt. Clear prompts lead to clearer answers.
A prompt can be short ("Summarise this") or detailed (context, format, tone, and constraints). There is no single perfect formula, but being specific usually helps.
Weak vs strong prompts
Vague
Before
Help with emailAfter
Draft a professional reply declining a meeting request because of a scheduling conflict. Keep it under 80 words.Examples
- •"Translate this paragraph to French"
- •"Act as a patient teacher and explain blockchain simply"
- •"List pros and cons in a table format"
Key points
- ✓A prompt is your instruction or question to the AI
- ✓Clear, specific prompts usually produce better results
- ✓Prompts can include context, format, and tone
- ✓Improving prompts is a skill you build with practice
Knowledge check
What is a prompt?
Choose the best answer, then check your understanding.